Maggi row: Nestle says tests clear; to bring back Maggi noodles

"All the 90 samples, covering 6 variants, tested by these laboratories are clear with lead much below the permissible limits," the company said in a statement.ETRetail | Updated: October 16, 2015, 15:19 IST

"All the 90 samples, covering 6 variants, tested by these laboratories are clear with lead much below the permissible limits," the company said in a statement. NEW DELHI: Nestle India, maker of Maggi noodles, on Friday said it has received test results from all three laboratories mandated by the Bombay High Court to test Maggi noodles samples. "All the 90 samples, covering 6 variants, tested by these laboratories are clear with lead much below the permissible limits," the company said in a statement.

"In compliance with the orders of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, we will now commence manufacture and will start selling only after the newly manufactured products are also cleared by the designated three laboratories," it said.

The maker of Maggi instant noodles said it has conducted over 3500 tests representing over 200 million packs in both national as well as international accredited laboratories and all reports are clear. In addition to these, various countries including USA, UK, Singapore, Australia and others have found MAGGI Noodles manufactured in India safe for consumption.

"Nestle will continue to collaborate with the FSSAI, the apex food regulator and other stakeholders.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had banned sale of Maggi noodles nationally citing excessive lead levels more than the permissible quantity of 2.5 parts per million, mislabelling on packs which declared 'no added MSG', and selling Maggi oats masala noodles without product approval in June this year.

A Rs 2,000 crore before the ban, the recall exercise of Maggi noodles has cost Nestle Rs 320 crore and another Rs 1,270 crore in brand loss according to global valuation consultancy Brand Finance.

The all-equity merger deal includes an exchange ratio of 4.39 HUL shares for each GSK Consumer India share, along with GSK entire operations of nutrition business and contract to distribute the latter's over-the-counter (OTC) and oral care brands such as Sensodyne, Eno and Crocin.